Thyroid diseases: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Thyroid diseases

Images

Endocrine glands

Primary and secondary hypothyroidism

Brain-thyroid link

Read More

Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease)

Goiter - simple

Hyperthyroidism

Hypopituitarism

Medullary carcinoma of thyroid

Silent thyroiditis

Subacute thyroiditis

Thyroid cancer - papillary carcinoma

Patient Instructions

Thyroid gland removal - discharge

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, just below the voice box (larynx). It produces chemicals (hormones) that help the body control metabolism. Thyroid hormone is also produced in response to another hormone released by the pituitary gland.

There are four main types of thyroid disease:

Hyperthyroidism -- too much thyroid hormone
Hypothyroidism -- too little thyroid hormone
Benign (non-cancerous) thyroid disease
Thyroid cancer

For information about a specific type of thyroid disease, see one of the following:

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid
Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)
Colloid nodular goiter
Congenital goiter
Goiter
Hyperthyroidism
Hypopituitarism
Hypothyroidism
Medullary thyroid carcinoma
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
Painless (silent) thyroiditis
Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid
Subacute thyroiditis
Thyroid cancer
Toxic nodular goiter

Update Date: 6/24/2009

Updated by: Reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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